MLB Player News

The Astros pulled Murfee off his rehab assignment Thursday due to discomfort in his right elbow, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Murfee initially reported soreness after making a rehab outing with Single-A Fayetteville last week. The Astros then made the decision to shut him down for a few days, but the 30-year-old's no-throw period will now be extended indefinitely after his elbow failed to show improvement. He's spent the 2024 campaign recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last July, and it's unclear when he'll be able to retake the mound.

The Orioles selected Bowman's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

The journeyman right-hander will be pitching for the seventh MLB team of his career and his fourth in 2024 alone if and when he gets into a game for the Orioles. Baltimore brought Bowman aboard on a minor-league deal last week, and he was quickly advanced to the big-league roster after striking out six batters in three scoreless innings between his two relief outings with Norfolk. Bowman will likely begin his time in Baltimore in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

The Orioles optioned Selby to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Selby tossed three scoreless frames over two appearances during his brief time with Baltimore. He could get another look later this season but for now will be replaced with fresh bullpen help.

The Orioles recalled Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Vespi will kick off his sixth stint in the big leagues this season, as he's been a popular option for a call-up whenever the Orioles have needed a fresh bullpen arm. Over his 11.1 innings spanning 10 appearances with Baltimore, Vespi has given up four earned runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out seven.

The Orioles designated Zimmermann for assignment Thursday.

Zimmermann was pushed off the 40-man roster with the Orioles needing to clear a spot for infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who was claimed off waivers from the Marlins. The 29-year-old southpaw made 38 appearances (27 starts) with the Orioles over the previous four seasons, but even with injuries testing the big club's rotation depth in recent weeks, Zimmermann had yet to receive a call-up from Triple-A Norfolk in 2024. He's mostly served as a member of Norfolk's rotation when healthy this season, logging a 4.64 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 60:25 K:BB across 66 innings.

The Tigers recalled Guenther from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Guenther made one relief appearance with the Tigers earlier this month, allowing one earned run over 1.1 innings of work. The left-hander will likely be with the big club only for a few days until Alex Faedo is back from paternity leave.

Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Holton has covered as much as 3.1 innings this season, but because he tossed 1.2 innings and 20 pitches in Wednesday's 8-2 win, manager A.J. Hinch isn't likely to ask the lefty to cover more than the opening frame or two. Kenta Maeda is available on six days' rest and should serve as the Tigers' bulk reliever.

The Tigers placed Faedo on the paternity list Thursday.

Faedo will miss at least one and as many as three games as he welcomes a new member to the family. He'll cede his spot on the active roster to left-hander Sean Guenther, who was recalled from Triple-A Toledo.

Yarbrough is expected to be deployed as a bulk reliever in Thursday's game versus the Angels, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ryan Burr will be the Blue Jays' opening pitcher, but it will be Yarbrough who is likely to cover most of the innings. The left-hander hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his first four appearances with Toronto, but he lasted three-plus innings in eight of his 32 outings earlier this season with the Dodgers.

Burr will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher in Thursday's game versus the Angels, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Burr will draw his first opener assignment of the season after delivering a 5.40 ERA and a 23:8 K:BB over 18.1 innings out of the bullpen. Ryan Yarbrough is expected to follow Burr as the bulk reliever.